DIODORO DE SICILIA, ¿UN NOVELISTA DE LAS GUERRAS SERVILES SICILIANAS? SOBRE EL ΚΆΡΥΟΝ DE EUNO Y LAS NOCIONES DIODOREAS DE ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ, ΠΑΡΡΗΣΊΑ Y ΑΚΡΙΒΕΙΑ

This paper examines a line of argument in modern historiography that tends to discredit the historical value of the Diodorean narrative of the Sicilian Servile Wars by conceiving its author as resembling a novelist. We critici that perspective by analysing the Diodorean notions of the truth, candour, and accuracy. We show that, although Diodorus is not only interested in factual truth, he is strongly committed to it. On the other hand, the context in which he wrote his account, a period in which there was already a bibliographical production concerning the revolts, makes it difficult to imagine that Diodorus had a wide margin for fictional manoeuvre. Moreover, it is supported by what can be compared with Florus, an author presumably of Livian tradition, whose depiction of Eunus' magical and divinatory qualities is equally negative in terms of fraud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]